The Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island Adventure (Original)

Days

5

Price from

€860EUR

Between Melbourne and Adelaide, take a road trip through some of Australia’s greatest landscapes

Each state has it’s own iconic destinations, and this journey takes you to a couple of Victoria and South Australia’s – the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island. From Melbourne, be captivated by each twist of the Great Ocean Road's turn, stop by some famed surf locations, and spot wild koalas at Kennett River. Spend some time in the forests of the Grampians National Park and get a different perspective with a lesson in local Aboriginal history. Nowhere does rock formations quite like Australia, so marvel at the big show of the Great Ocean Road’s Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Head on to Adelaide, then hop aboard a ferry and cross to the island that’s named after roos but’s also home to a heap of native animals like koalas and sea lions. Meet these wild residents at the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Seal Bay Conservation Park in-between sand boarding the dunes of the Little Sahara, kayaking on the Harriet River, or kicking back on Vivonne Bay beach. This journey is the perfect snapshot of what makes Australia so great.

The Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island Adventure (Original)

Between Melbourne and Adelaide, take a road trip through some of Australia’s greatest landscapes

Each state has it’s own iconic destinations, and this journey takes you to a couple of Victoria and South Australia’s – the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island. From Melbourne, be captivated by each twist of the Great Ocean Road's turn, stop by some famed surf locations, and spot wild koalas at Kennett River. Spend some time in the forests of the Grampians National Park and get a different perspective with a lesson in local Aboriginal history. Nowhere does rock formations quite like Australia, so marvel at the big show of the Great Ocean Road’s Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Head on to Adelaide, then hop aboard a ferry and cross to the island that’s named after roos but’s also home to a heap of native animals like koalas and sea lions. Meet these wild residents at the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Seal Bay Conservation Park in-between sand boarding the dunes of the Little Sahara, kayaking on the Harriet River, or kicking back on Vivonne Bay beach. This journey is the perfect snapshot of what makes Australia so great.

Start

Melbourne,
Australia

Finish

Adelaide,
Australia

Destination

Victoria,
Great Ocean Road,
South Australia,
Kangaroo Island

Style

Original

Theme

Short Breaks

Code

PASMC-O

Physical rating

Ages

Min
8

Group size

Min
1, Max
24

Why you'll love this trip

Travel along the Great Ocean Road

Stop at spectacular Loch Ard Gorge

Witness the Twelve Apostles near Port Campbell

Go hiking in the Grampians National Park

Loll about with the local sea lions at Seal Bay

Give sandboarding a crack amid the white sand dunes of Little Sahara

Walk through Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in search of koalas in their gumtree hideouts

Take in the impressive coastal views from Remarkable Rock

Is this trip right for you?

This trip is made up of two seperate tours and you'll be traveling with a different Guide on each Kangaroo Island and the Great Ocean Road. Each Guide specialises in their region of touring

The Kangaroo Island portion of the trip are two full days of touring. Whilst there isn't too much physical exertion, there are early starts and arrival back into Adelaide on the second day is late in the evening around 10:30pm.

Gallery

Itinerary

Leaving cosmopolitan Melbourne, hit the road west to Geelong and the famous surf town of Torquay. From there, begin the journey along one of Australia’s most beautiful and famous drives, the Great Ocean Road. Stop in at Kennett River for some koala spotting, then break for lunch in Apollo Bay. Continue on to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, spending the night in Warrnambool.

Included Activities

12 Apostles & London Bridge

Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road

Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges

Swim at Lorne (Summer months)

Meals Included

Begin the day checking out more of the Great Ocean Road's wonders, then drive into the Grampians National Park – an area rich in Aboriginal culture and beautiful landscapes. Visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Culture Centre to learn about the period known as the Dreaming, then hike up to the Pinnacles for impressive views across the Grampians. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Aussie BBQ in Halls Gap.

Included Activities

Brambuk Culture Centre

Loch Ard Gorge

Mackenzie Falls - Grampians

Pinnacles Walk - Grampians

Meals Included

Hike up to McKenzie Falls, the highest waterfalls in the Grampians, and check out other sights such as The Balconies, Reeds Lookout and the Jaws of Death. Leaving the Grampians, pass through the town of Horsham before crossing the famed mighty Murray River and making the last leg of the journey into Adelaide.

Included Activities

Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout

Meals Included

After an early morning start from the Adelaide Central Bus Station (meet at the SeaLink desk at 6.15am for a 6.45am departure), travel along the picture-perfect Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis for the 45-minute SeaLink ferry ride to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. While crossing, it is not uncommon to have an escort of local dolphins that can be viewed from the dolphin deck on the boat. Once you disembark, stop in at Rob's Shearing and Sheepdogs to check out how sheep are shorn, then continue to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery – the only commercial eucalyptus distillery in South Australia. Next up is a visit to the Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you'll have the opportunity to see rare Australian Sea-lions up close in a wild breeding colony. Travel on to the white sand dunes of the Little Sahara, where you’ll get the chance to give sand boarding a shot, then arrive at your exclusive accommodation in Vivonne Bay Lodge. Enjoy some free time to kayak on the Harriet River, go for a self-guided walk along the property’s tracks, head out trail bike riding or swimming, or simply kick back along Vivonne Bay Beach. The locals will come to greet you in the evening, and by locals we mean the Kangaroos that give this incredible Island it’s name.

Included Activities

Rob's shearing and sheepdogs

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

Seal Bay Conservation Park

Sandboarding at Little Sahara

Meals Included

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

1. As this itinerary consists of two separate trips, the composition of your group will most likely change today. Some will be starting, others will be finishing.

2. The coach transfer from Adelaide to the ferry is approximately 1.5 hours, with a sailing time of 45 minutes. On the Island, you will spend approximately 2 hours in the vehicle with frequent sightseeing. Walking and active time will depend on which optional activities you choose in the afternoon.

After breakfast, pop into the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and search for koalas lazing in the eucalyptus trees. Next up it’s Flinders Chase National Park, where you’ll find a collection of boulders that really live up to their name – the Remarkable Rocks. You’ll arrive ahead of the crowds that come to see this signature sight of giant weathered stones that guard the view over Kirkpatrick Point. Ramble across the rocky coastline, admire the seascapes, then stop in at Admirals Arch on Cape Du Couedic to see the resident fur seals frolicking in the ocean or basking on the rocks. Depending on the time and weather, make a few stops en route to Penneshaw, where you can purchase dinner (own expense) before arriving back in Adelaide.

Note: Driving time whilst on the Island will be the majority of the day, with constant stops for sightseeing. The ferry Journey is approximately 45 minutes back to the mainland with a journey of 1.5 hours back to central Adelaide. Arrival time will be approximately 10:40pm. Walking distances are several hundred metres at each location.

Included Activities

Flinders Chase National Park

Admirals Arch

Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Remarkable Rocks

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts,
3 lunches,
2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle,
Transfer coach,
Ferry

Accommodation

Private hostel room (3 nights) Lodge (1 night)

Included activities

12 Apostles & London Bridge

Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road

Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges

Swim at Lorne (Summer months)

Brambuk Culture Centre

Loch Ard Gorge

Mackenzie Falls - Grampians

Pinnacles Walk - Grampians

Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout

Rob's shearing and sheepdogs

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

Seal Bay Conservation Park

Sandboarding at Little Sahara

Flinders Chase National Park

Admirals Arch

Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Remarkable Rocks

Meals

3 breakfasts,
3 lunches,
2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle,
Transfer coach,
Ferry

Accommodation

Private hostel room (3 nights) Lodge (1 night)

Included activities

12 Apostles & London Bridge

Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road

Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges

Swim at Lorne (Summer months)

Brambuk Culture Centre

Loch Ard Gorge

Mackenzie Falls - Grampians

Pinnacles Walk - Grampians

Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout

Rob's shearing and sheepdogs

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

Seal Bay Conservation Park

Sandboarding at Little Sahara

Flinders Chase National Park

Admirals Arch

Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Remarkable Rocks

Days

5

Price from

€860EUR

Between Melbourne and Adelaide, take a road trip through some of Australia’s greatest landscapes

Each state has it’s own iconic destinations, and this journey takes you to a couple of Victoria and South Australia’s – the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island. From Melbourne, be captivated by each twist of the Great Ocean Road's turn, stop by some famed surf locations, and spot wild koalas at Kennett River. Spend some time in the forests of the Grampians National Park and get a different perspective with a lesson in local Aboriginal history. Nowhere does rock formations quite like Australia, so marvel at the big show of the Great Ocean Road’s Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Head on to Adelaide, then hop aboard a ferry and cross to the island that’s named after roos but’s also home to a heap of native animals like koalas and sea lions. Meet these wild residents at the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Seal Bay Conservation Park in-between sand boarding the dunes of the Little Sahara, kayaking on the Harriet River, or kicking back on Vivonne Bay beach. This journey is the perfect snapshot of what makes Australia so great.

Next trip departures

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Important notes

1. Accommodation on day 3 is at the Adelaide Central YHA.
2. The Kangaroo Island portion of this trip departs from the Adelaide Central Bus Station (85 Franklin Street) on the morning of day 4. Please meet at the SeaLink desk at 6.15am for a 6.45am departure.
3. This trip is available in Basix (multishare) and Original (twin share) accommodation. See trip code PASMC-B for Basix style.
4. This trip also runs in reverse as a 4 day trip. See trip codes PSAAC-B and PSAAC-O.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.